Overview
People in Andorra enjoy an open civic space and are free to support a range of causes and engage on many issues. The constitution incorporates the Universal Declaration on Human Rights into Andorra’s legal system, providing strong protections for fundamental rights. A Citizen’s Ombudsman was established on 4th June 1998 to ensure administrative action and the defence of constitutional rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens. The mandate of the Ombudsman was expanded to comply with the Paris Principles.
Association
Andorra's robust civic space consists of over 400 officially-registered associations which range from professional associations to advocacy initiatives. For example, the Andorra Women’s Association carries out public advocacy on domestic and gender-based violence. Civil society benefits from the protection of a strong rule of law. Article 17 of the Andorran constitution recognises the right to form associations and political parties can operate freely.
Although freedom of association is respected, activists have reported a level of isolation and those focusing on domestic violence and reproductive rights have faced judicial harassment. For example, in 2021, authorities dropped two of the three charges against Vanessa Mendoza Cortés, president of the women’s rights organisation Stop Violències. In 2020, she was charged for slandering state institutions after testifying before the UN on the situation for women in Andorra and the abortion ban. At the time of writing, she still faces a possible fine and criminal record, should she go to trial for the remaining charge under Article 32 of the Penal Code.
Expression
The constitution protects freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. However, defamation of public officials and state institutions remains a criminal offence and the 2020 UPR recommendation to decriminalise defamation has yet to be implemented at the time of writing.
The country's small size and population limits the growth, diversity, and size of the media sector, with state-owned and business-backed media having a monopoly on the market. Journalists are known to self-censor when reporting on sensitive issues in the country, especially involving the banking and financial sector.
Peaceful Assembly
Andorrans are free to gather peacefully in public, a right that is underpinned by Article 16 of the constitution. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government temporarily restricted public assemblies. Recent demonstrations have focused on reproductive rights, labour rights within unions, and strikes over civil service reform.